SpectraCell Blog

Vitamin B3, also known as Niacin, is a water soluble vitamin. It is not stored in the body, so we need to consume it daily. We need niacin for proper digestive function. Vitamin B3(Niacinamide) is needed to metabolize food into energy. Niacinamide is converted into the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NADP, which function in oxidation-reduction reactions essential for release of energy from carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Niacin can also be synthesized by the body from tryptophan, although with low efficiency.

Vitamin B2 more commonly known as Riboflavin is a micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health. Vitamin B2(Riboflavin) helps to metabolize foodstuffs into energy. Riboflavin(vitamin B2) is converted into its active forms, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). FAD and FMN are primarily involved as cofactors in oxidation-reduction reactions for flavoproteins, essential for cellular energy production and respiration. Vitamin B2(Riboflavin) has a role in antioxidant status by activating glutathione reductase, which regenerates reduced glutathione.

Vitamin B1(thiamin) is a water-soluble vitamin of the 8 B complex vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. The B vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly, and are needed for good brain function.

Vitamin B1(Thiamin) is used by cells to help make energy from foodstuffs. Thiamin pyrophosphate is a cofactor for dehydrogenase enzymes with key roles in cellular energy production. Thiamin pyrophosphate is required for transketolase activity, which is a component of the pentose phosphate pathway, the sole source for the synthesis of ribose used in synthesis of the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). These reactions also produce the major source of cellular NADPH (used in fatty acid biosynthesis and other pathways). Thiamin triphosphate is localized in nerve cell membranes, and plays a role in transmission of nervous impulses and acetylcholine synthesis.

Vitamin A is a group of nutritionally unsaturated hydrocarbons. Different forms of the vitamin include retinol, retinoic acid, and carotenoids. Retinol is the most biologically active form of vitamin A and is synthesized by pro-vitamin A(beta-carotene). Vitamin A regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, immune function and apoptosis (cell death). This vitamin plays a vital role in night or low-light vision and color vision among many other common functions.